BY ROCCO PARASCANDOLA. STAFF WRITER
Copyright 2006 Newsday, Inc.
Two drug rings that authorities say are linked to seven slayings at a notorious Queens intersection have been dismantled, and Police Commissioner Ray Kelly said yesterday that the NYPD will focus its efforts on making sure no new dealers step in to fill the void.
The alleged crack, heroin and marijuana dealers arrested over the last few days operated at the Baisley Park Houses and Jamaica Houses, both in South Jamaica. The two rings pulled in about $2 million a year, authorities said.
“Over years of narcotics enforcement in these areas, many street dealers were arrested, but for every apprehended dealer there was another to take his place, while the leadership remained intact,” Kelly said. “So for these two particular recalcitrant drug rings, this 10-month investigation focused on senior leaders.”
So far, 41 alleged dealers have been arrested - 20 more were being sought late yesterday - but Kelly said the real success will come as the NYPD focuses on the streets it just won back “to prevent more drug activity from taking root.”
Kelly identified as the rings’ major heroin supplier Kim Perkins, 48, of Jamaica. He said Perkins, who was arrested, operated out of a commercial laundry that served as the center for street-level heroin dealers.
The others arrested, who range in age from 18 to 58, include a husband-and-wife team, Walter and Deanna McIlwain, who allegedly dealt marijuana out of their home on Union Hall Street.
The suspects, who allegedly sold drugs to undercover cops on more than 80 occasions, were charged with various drug offenses, according to Queens District Attorney Richard Brown.
The drug-related homicides took place over the last two years and occurred at 109th Avenue and Guy Brewer Boulevard, Kelly said. None of the suspects has yet been charged in any of the slayings.
April 11, 2006